A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Fort Lauderdale vs. Columbus for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Fort Lauderdale or Columbus?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Fort Lauderdale and Columbus. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Fort Lauderdale or Columbus?

Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale is located on the Atlantic coast of Florida, not far from Miami, and is famous for its beaches and boating culture. An elaborate system of canals runs through the city, adding to the charm and coastal lifestyle. Plenty of restaurants, shops, watersports, and other things to do can be found here in addition to the beautiful beaches. The city is family-friendly and also caters to older travelers as well as younger generations. While it's not an inexpensive place to visit, the prices are on par with other cities in southeastern Florida. The beach is lined with high-rise condos and hotels that tend to be expensive, while a few blocks back from the shore you'll find plenty of nice houses along with shops, restaurants, and fun activities for all ages. And since Fort Lauderdale is part of the Miami metro area, you can easily get to all of the other beach areas, cities, and activities in the nearby metropolitan areas as well.

Columbus

The capital city of Ohio, Columbus sits at the meeting point of America's Rust Belt, Bible Belt, Appalachia, and the Plains. It is also home of Ohio State University, which is a major financial and economic force in the city. You'll likely need a car to navigate the city, although there is a bus system, COTA, which can take you to some of Columbus' highlights.

Which city is cheaper, Columbus or Fort Lauderdale?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Fort Lauderdale is $146, while the average daily cost in Columbus is $126. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Fort Lauderdale and Columbus in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Fort Lauderdale $77
    Columbus $58
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Fort Lauderdale $154
    Columbus $116

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Fort Lauderdale $41
    Columbus $40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fort Lauderdale

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Fort Lauderdale:

  • Transfer in executive car from Fort Lauderdale Airport(FLL) to Miami downtown: $64
  • Transfer in Executive Private Vehicle from Fort Lauderdale City to Airport: $57
  • Transfer in Executive Private Vehicle from Fort Lauderdale Airport to City: $57
  • Transfer from Port Everglades to Miami International Airport: $130
  • Transfer from Port Everglades to Miami Beach: $130
  • Transfer from Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International to Fort Lauderdale: $100
  • Transfer from Fort Lauderdale Airport to Port Of Miami: $125
  • Transfer from Fort Lauderdale Airport to Orlando: $750
  • Transfer from Fort Lauderdale Airport to Miami Beach: $130
  • Transfer from Fort Lauderdale Airport to Miami: $130
  • Transfer From Fort Lauderdale to Airport/Port: $25
  • Round-Trip Transfer in Executive Private Car from-to Airport in Fort Lauderdale: $113

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Columbus

Also for Columbus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) to Columbus - Arrival Private Transfer: $87
  • Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) to Columbus - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $174
  • Columbus to Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) - Departure Private Transfer: $87

Is it cheaper to fly into Fort Lauderdale or Columbus?

Prices for flights to both Columbus and Fort Lauderdale change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Fort Lauderdale $39
    Columbus $39
Typical Food prices in Fort Lauderdale

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Fort Lauderdale:


  • Quick Lunch
    $12

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fort Lauderdale

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Fort Lauderdale.

  • All You Can Eat BBQ Dinner and Show at Tropical Isle with Sightseeing Cruise: $60

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Fort Lauderdale $12
    Columbus $37

Tours and Activities in Fort Lauderdale

Here are a few actual costs in Fort Lauderdale for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 1 Hour Central Park Guided Electric Bike Tour: $49
  • 1-Hour Bike Tour of Hugh Taylor Birch State Park: $47
  • 1-Hour Interactive Pirate Adventure Cruise in Fort Lauderdale (Family-Friendly): $23
  • 2 Hour Fort Lauderdale Guided Electric Bike Tour: $60
  • 2 Hour Venice Of America Jet Ski Adventure & Exploration Tour of Fort Lauderdale: $225
  • 3 Hour All Inclusive 007 Millionaires Row Jet Ski Adventure Fort Lauderdale: $307
  • 5-Day Miami+Key West+Palm Beach+Fort Lauderdale Tour (Miami Departure)(MIA5-A): $579
  • 90-Minute Narrated Sightseeing Cruises: $23
  • 90-Minute Snorkel & Seabob Underwater Guided Reef Tour in Fort Lauderdale: $139
  • Airport to Cruise Shuttle Private Group Transportation: $580
  • Beach Cruiser Bike Rentals in Fort Lauderdale: $11
  • Champagne Sunset Cruise Ft. Lauderdale: $58

Tours and Activities in Columbus

For Columbus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Columbus: $11
  • Columbus Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
  • LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus Ticket: $21
  • Central Park Bike Tour: $53
  • New York City: 3-Hour City Highlights Guided Bike Tour: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Fort Lauderdale $27
    Columbus $16
Typical Alcohol prices in Fort Lauderdale

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Fort Lauderdale are as follows:


  • Beer
    $7.30

Sample the Local Flavors in Fort Lauderdale

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fort Lauderdale:

  • Party Bike Bar Crawl: $59

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Fort Lauderdale and Columbus, we can see that Fort Lauderdale is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.


When is the best time to visit Fort Lauderdale or Columbus?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Columbus in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Fort Lauderdale as well as Columbus. The beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Fort Lauderdale this time of year.

Fort Lauderdale is a little warmer than Columbus in the summer. The temperature in Fort Lauderdale is usually 83°F (28°C) in July, and Columbus stays around 77°F (25°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbus. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Fort Lauderdale this time of the year. In the summer, Fort Lauderdale often gets more sunshine than Columbus. Fort Lauderdale gets 316 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbus receives 254 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Columbus. Fort Lauderdale receives a lot of rain in the summer. Fort Lauderdale usually gets more rain in July than Columbus. Fort Lauderdale gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Columbus receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Fort Lauderdale 83°F (28°C) 
    Columbus 77°F (25°C)

Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Columbus in the Autumn?

Both Columbus and Fort Lauderdale are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Fort Lauderdale for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Fort Lauderdale is much warmer than Columbus. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Fort Lauderdale in October are around 78°F (26°C), and Columbus is about 57°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale usually receives more sunshine than Columbus during autumn. At this time of the year, Fort Lauderdale gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Columbus receives 179 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Fort Lauderdale. In October, Fort Lauderdale usually receives more rain than Columbus. At this time of the year, Fort Lauderdale gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Columbus receives 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Fort Lauderdale 78°F (26°C) 
    Columbus 57°F (14°C)

Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Columbus in the Winter?

Both Columbus and Fort Lauderdale during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Fort Lauderdale in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Columbus can be very cold during winter. In January, Fort Lauderdale is generally much warmer than Columbus. Temperatures in Fort Lauderdale average around 67°F (20°C), and Columbus stays around 30°F (-1°C).

It's quite sunny in Fort Lauderdale. In the winter, Fort Lauderdale often gets more sunshine than Columbus. Fort Lauderdale gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbus receives 105 hours of full sun.

Fort Lauderdale usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Columbus. Fort Lauderdale gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Columbus receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Fort Lauderdale 67°F (20°C) 
    Columbus 30°F (-1°C)

Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Columbus in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Fort Lauderdale and Columbus. Most visitors come to Fort Lauderdale for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Fort Lauderdale is much warmer than Columbus in the spring. The temperature in Fort Lauderdale is usually 75°F (24°C) in April, and Columbus stays around 54°F (12°C).

In Fort Lauderdale, it's very sunny this time of the year. Fort Lauderdale usually receives more sunshine than Columbus during spring. At this time of the year, Fort Lauderdale gets 300 hours of sunny skies, while Columbus receives 200 hours of full sun.

In April, Fort Lauderdale usually receives around the same amount of rain as Columbus. At this time of the year, Fort Lauderdale gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Columbus receives 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Fort Lauderdale 75°F (24°C) 
    Columbus 54°F (12°C)

Typical Weather for Columbus and Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale Columbus
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 67°F (20°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm) 30°F (-1°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm)
Feb 68°F (20°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm) 33°F (1°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm)
Mar 72°F (22°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm) 45°F (7°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Apr 75°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 54°F (12°C) 3.2 inches (81 mm)
May 79°F (26°C) 6.4 inches (162 mm) 65°F (18°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)
Jun 81°F (27°C) 9.4 inches (238 mm) 73°F (23°C) 4 inches (102 mm)
Jul 83°F (28°C) 5.9 inches (149 mm) 77°F (25°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm)
Aug 83°F (28°C) 7.5 inches (191 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm)
Sep 82°F (28°C) 7.6 inches (194 mm) 69°F (20°C) 3 inches (76 mm)
Oct 78°F (26°C) 5.6 inches (143 mm) 57°F (14°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm)
Nov 73°F (23°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 47°F (8°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Dec 69°F (21°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm) 35°F (2°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)


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Fort Lauderdale vs. Columbus Travel Comparison

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